SURF CITY | The new bridge that will link Surf City’s mainland and Topsail Island is expected to be finished in 2020, but the town already received a request to name it.

Hampstead resident Tim Thomas asked Surf City council members on Tuesday to dedicate the bridge in memory of his late father, George Leslie Thomas.

Tim Thomas explained his father’s various contributions to the town, including his instrumental role in implementing the town’s first water project in 1967.

Construction of the fixed-span bridge isn’t expected to begin until 2017, giving the town council years to decide to whom to dedicate the bridge, Councilman Buddy Fowler said.

“I think it’s a little early,” Fowler said. “We need to give good consideration to all those who come in. (Thomas) did a lot for Surf City, but a lot of other people did as well.”

Mayor Zander Guy assured Tim Thomas that his recommendation will be taken into consideration.

“I think you’ve got a good request here and I think the council will consider it,” Guy said.

The bridge will replace the island’s decades’ old swing bridge. The new bridge’s design includes a wide pedestrian and bike path, which can be turned into a vehicular lane during emergency evacuations.

An animation of the new bridge is on the town’s website at surfcity.govoffice.com.

The swing bridge will remain at its current location until the new span is opened to traffic.

While it is unclear whom the town will name the bridge after, Tim Thomas was not deterred by the council’s unanimous decision Tuesday night to defer the matter.